Plural power operated mechanism



Nov. 16, 1943. H. N. LEE 2,334,208

PLURAL POWER OPERATED MECHANISM v Filed Oct. 28, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. l, 1943. H. N. LEE

PLURAL POWER OPERATED MECHANISM Filed 0st. 28, 1941 3 Sl'xeets-Shee'cI 2 lzveniar: @rame/Vle@ Nnv. 16, 1943., H N, LEE 2,334,208

PLURAL POWER OPERATED MECHANIsM Filed oct.v 28, 1941 5 sheets-sheet 5 15a/verz for floraae/Kee.

AMM

l any.

Patented Nov. 16, 1943 2,334,208 l rLUnAL POWER oPEaA'rEn MECHANISM Horace N. Lee, New York, N. Y., assignor to Sulivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts.

Application October 28, 1941, Serial No. 416,922

8 Claims. (Cl. 254-187) ated mechanisms may be caused to perform selecy tively or simultaneouslytheir working functions by power from a prime mover. it relates more particularly to combined pumping and hoisting mechanisms driven by a common source o! power and having improved means for selectively or simultaneously controlling the pumping of uid by the pumping mechanism and the doing of work by the hoist.

It is sometimes necessary to have for certain types of construction work, a source of compressed air for pneumatic tools and a hoist for moving or lifting materials. At times it may only be necessary to deliver compressed air irom its source, while at other times only the hoist may be needed. There are times, however, when a supply of compressed air is needed and it is also desirable to use the hoist for lifting light loads. In a copending application by Ralph E. Lamberton, Serial No. 379,943, filed February 21, 19-11, there is shown a compressor and a hoist arranged to be driven directly by a single prime mover, and having means for controlling selectively the pumping of fluid by the compressor and the doing of work' by the hoist. The arrangement shown in this application is to an extent similar to that of the Lumberton application, but I have provided control mechanism whereby the compressor and hoist may be caused to function either selectively or simultaneously. It will be understood that power operated devices other than a hoist may be used with the compressor, and that the compressor is merely illustrative of the various pumping devices that may be used.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved apparatus in which a pumping device and a separate power driven mechanism may be caused to perform selectively or simultaneously their working functions by power from a single power unit. Another object of my invention is to proy vide, for a combined pumping apparatus and hoisting mechanism, improved means for controlling the driving of the hoisting mechanism and the operation of the pumping apparatus. Still another object is to provide a compressor connected continuously 'in driven relation with a power unit, pressure responsive means for controlling the unloading of the compressor and the supply of operating uid to the power unit, and a hoisting mechanism having improved means for connecting it in driven relation with the power unit and rendering the pressure responsive means controlling the supply of operating fluid to the power unit ineective. Another object is to provide improved means for controlling the driving of a pumping apparatus and a separate power driven mechanism froma single power unit, and having improved means for controlling the speed of the power unit. Other objects and advantages will appearin the course of the following description.

in the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume inv practice.

in these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away showing an illustrative form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, with parts broken awa o! the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig.` 3 is an enlarged sectional view through a compressor cylinder, taken on a plane including the axis of the cylinder.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a valve for controlling the supply of operating iiuid to compressor unloading means, the section being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the valve in a diierent position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a valve for controlling the iiow of pressure iiuid to the control device for the engine throttle, and is taken on line 8 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 'Z is a View similar to Fig. 6, but showing the valve in a different position.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a base structure I which is adapted for sliding over the ground and which has mounted thereon a power unit 2, a pumping apparatus 3 in the form of a compressor, and a power driven device l shown herein in the form of a hoist. Surrounding the power unit and the compressor is a casing 6. l

The power unit may assume various forms but is shown herein as an engine of the internal combustion type arranged with its power shaft extending longitudinally of the base structure. A radiator i is mounted on the end of the base structure adjacent the engine and contains cooling uid ior the latter. At the side of the engine is a throttle device which is controlled by manually operated and automatically operated means, generally designated 9, which will be described shortly more in detail.

The compressor 9 shown herein is oi the multicylinder, single stage type having cylinders l i and i2 extending radially from a crankcase i3; and the compressor crankshaft, a portion of which is shown at 4. is arranged in alinement with the power shaft of the engine and is driven directly` Acrankcase, and is driven by a belt I1 engaging a pulley I8 on the crankshaft for circulating cooling air through the casing about the compressor and the engine.

'I'he compressor cylinders are identical in construction. and each comprises, as shown in Fig. 3 a cylinder member2|i having a bore 2| within which a piston 22 is reciprocated by the compressor crankshaft through a connection not shown. A valve mechanism generally designated 23 and a cylinder head 24 are arranged in an enlarged bore 25 formed in the cylinder member, and the cylinder head is secured as by bolts 23 to the cylinder member in engagement with the valve mechanism for clamping the latter against a shoulder 21 at the junction of the bores 2| and 25. Connected to the sid of the cylinder member as by bolts 28 is a conduit 29 having an air iilter 38 attached to its outer end and opening at its inner end into an intake passage 3| which communicates with the cylinder bore 2| past an inlet valve 32. A discharge valve 33 controls the ilow of compressed air from the cylinder to a passage 34 leading to a discharge conduit 35. The discharge conduits from the cylinders and I2 are connected to a common conduit 33 which delivers the com pressed air to a storage tank or receiver 31 supported above the base structure by support members 38 and 39.

An unloading device generally designated 40 is provided for each of the compressor cylinders. This unloading device includes members 4| and 42 and a plate 43 attached to the top of the cylinder head by bolts 44. Formed between the members 4| and 42 is a chamber 45, and a flexible diaphragm 43 is clamped in the chamber 45 between the members 4| and 42. A plunger 48 is provided with a reduced portion 49 projecting into the chamber 45 through an opening in the plate 43, and with an enlarged portion 50 which is 'received within a recess 5| formed in the upper surface of the cylinder head. Rods or fingers 52 are attached to the enlarged portion 50 of the plunger and project downwardly through openings 54 in the cylinder head into the intake passage 3|. and are engageable at their lower ends with the inlet valve to move the latter from its seat and unload the compressor cylinder when the plunger is forced downwardly. 'I'he plunger is normally held in its upper position against the diaphragm by a spring 55 shown herein as being of the bowed plate type. 'I'he spring 55 and the plunger are guided by a pin 53 iixed to the cylinder head and projecting upwardly through an opening in the spring and into a recess 51 formed in the plunger. Surrounding the reduced portion of the plunger just above the plate 43 is a packing ring 58 carrying a packing which sealingly engages the plunger to prevent the passage oi.' pressure iiuid from the chamber 45 to the vrecess 5|. A coiled spring 59 rests upon the packing ring and acts against the lower surface oi.' the diaphragm for holding the latter normally in its raised position.

The plunger 48 may be moved to its lower position to eiect openingof the inlet valve and unloading of the compressor cylinder by admitting pressure fluid to the chamber 45 beneath the diaphragm so that it acts directly on top of the plunger. or by admitting pressure uid to the space above the diaphragm so that the diaphragm will be forced downwardly and move the plunger to its valve opening position. To effect automatic unloading of the compressor and reloading thereof in accordance with compressor discharge pressure variations, there'are provided conduits 33 opening into the chambers 45 beneath the diaphragms 43 of the unloading devices, and these conduits are connected to a common conduit 3| communicating through a standard device 32, which permits free ilow of pressure iiuid toward the unloading plungers but delays venting of iiuid from these plungers, to a pilot valve 33, illustrated herein as a so-called RC pilot valve, connected in the compressor discharge conduit 33. The pilot valve is operative at a predetermined maximum compressor discharge pressure to supply iluid from the discharge line past the device 32 to the conduit 3|, and, at a predetermined mininum discharge pressure, to vent the conduit i.

At times it is desired to unload the compressor so that the engine may drive the hoist for lifting heavy loads. In order that this may be accomplished even when the pressure in the receiver and the discharge line is atmospheric, there are provided conduits 35 opening into the chambers 45 above the diaphragms 43 of the unloading de vices, and these conduits are connected to a common conduit 33 which opens into a valve casing 31, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Arranged in the crankcase of the compressor is a lubricant pump, not shown, for supplying lubricant to parts of the compressor mechanism, and connected to this lubricant pump is a conduit 33 which opens into the valve casing 31. A conduit 38 connected to the valve casing leads to the compressor crankcase and is adapted to return oil to the latter. 'A valve 13 is rotatably mounted in the valve casing and is provided with a groove 1| for connectingl the conduits 33 and 38 when it is in one of its limiting positions, and for connecting conduits 33 and 39 when it is in another limiting position. A manual control lever 13 is connected to the valve 18 for moving the latter to its different positions and controlling the ilow of lubricant relative to the unloading devices. This is operatorcontrollable at will.

In order to drive the hoist, there is provided a coupling 15 connecting a shaft 13 to the rear end of the compressor crankshaft i4, and the shaft 18 is connectible through a clutch mechanism, generally designated 11, to a shaft 18. The clutch mechanism may be of any suitable type but as shown herein is similar to that described in detail in the above mentioned application to Lamberton and so will not be described again here. An operating lever 19 is provided for controlling the connection of the shafts 13 and 18 through the clutch mechanism and when the lever is moved in a clockwise direction to its extreme position the clutch is disconnected, while a connection is effected when the lever is moved in a counterclockwise direction. Power is transmitted from the shaft 18, as shown in Fig. 2. through a flexible drive member 80. such as a belt or chain, to a shaft 8| which is connected through suitable gearing, not shown, to the drum 82 of the hoist 4. Suitable means are provided for controlling the operation of the drum and are shown here as including operating levers 34, 85 and 33. The lever 84 is connected through a link 81 to a shaft 83 which effects operation of a clutch, not shown, controlling the drive of the drum. The lever is connected through a link 00 to a shaft 0| on which a dog 93 is ilired and is movable by the shaft 9| into engagement with teeth Q4' on the drum for locking the latter against rotation in an unwinding direction. The lever 86 is connected through a link 95 to a shaft '90 and controls the operation of a brake, not

shown, for braking the rotation of the drum.

Referring to the control means -9 for the throttle device 8 of the engine, it will be noted that a rod 93 is connected at one of its ends to the throttle and is connected at its other end to an arm 09 mounted for pivotal movement at |00. Suitable pressure responsive means |0| is provided for effecting a swinging of the arm 99 about its pivot to move the rod 98 in a 'direction to close the throttle valvewhen pressure uid is supplied thereto. A conduit |03 1eads\-from the device 62 at a point communicating freely with the delivery side of the pilot valve 63 (sor that the device t2 will not affect ow of uid in the conduit |03) and is connected through a control valve |04 to a conduit |05 leading to thepressure responsive means I0 A lever |01, pivotally mounted between its ends, operatively engages, at one of its ends, the rod 98, and is connected at its j other end to a rod |08 which is connected to a lever |09 that may be manually operated to open or close thev throttle. The control valve |04 may assume various forms but is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 as including a valve casing ||0 having ports and ||2 with which the conduits |03 and |05 are connected through threaded connection elei ments ||3 and ||4. A valve element ||5 is rotatably mounted within the casing ||0 and is provided with a groove ||6 for connecting the ports and i2 when the valve is in one of its positions, and with a groove IIJ for connecting the port i2 with a vent port |I9 when the valve is rotated to anotherA position. Connected to the valve, as shown in Fig. 1, is an arm |20 having its outer end yieldably connected through springs |2| and |22 to a rod |23 which is connected to the operating lever i9 for the clutch mechanism l1.

The operation of the mechanism described is as follows: Assuming that it is desired onlyV to compress air for delivery to the receiver, the lever 'i9 will be swung into the position shown in Fig. 1 to disconnect the hoist drive shaft 18 from driving relation with the engine and to move the valve element li of the valve |04 into the position shown in Fig 6 for connecting the conduits |03 and |05 in communication with each other through the groove I6. In order that the unloading devices for the compressor cylinders may assume their loading positions, uid is vented from the spaces above the diaphragms t6 by turning the lever i3 into a position connecting the conduits 6B and 69 through the valve groove 1| and thereby venting iluid to the compressor crankcase. When the engine 2 is started,

the compressor 3 is driven loaded until the pressure in the receiver has reached the value at which the pilot valve G3 operates to supply pressure fluid from the discharge line through the device 62 to the conduit 6| and the conduits 60 opening into the chambers t of the unloading devices below the diaphragms Ht. Pressure uid Vsuppliedtc the chambers 05 acts on the upper ends of the plungers t3, forcing the latter toward their lower position and moving the ngers 52 against the inlet valves to force the latter from their seats and unload the compressor.

riressure uid is supplied at the same time from the pilot valve 03 independently of control by the device 02 to the conduit |03, and through thel groove il@ inthe valve element IIE to the conduit |05 which delivers the fluid to the pressure 5 responsive means IDI for effecting actuation of the engine throttle toward its closed position. As long as the compressor discharge pressure remains at a value sufficient to hold the pilot valve open, the engine 2 operates at a reduced speed and drives the compressor unloaded. When pressure fluldis used from the receiver and the pressure in the discharge line drops, the pilot valve\ operates at a predetermined pressure, lower than) that at which unloading occurred, to vent pres-f sure iluid from the compressor unloading devices and from the pressure responsive device for the engine throttle. Due to the free communication between the conduit |03 and the pilot valve, independent of restriction by the device 62, uid from the throttle control device will be vented immediately to atmosphere, but, since the device 62 provides a delayed venting of pressure iluid from the compressor unloading device, the compressor will be driven unloaded'while the engine is picking up speed.

If it is desired to connect the hoist 4 in driven relation with the engine 2, the lever 10 is moved in a counterclockwise direction from its position shown in Fig. 1 to actuate the clutch for connecting the hoist drive shaft i8 in driving relation .with the compressor crankshaft. At the same time, the valve element ||5 of the valve |04 is moved by means of the rod |23 and springs |2|, |22 to a position for venting 85 pressure fluid from the throttle control device and for cutting oi the supply of fluid from conduit |03. The engine throttle is then made responsive onlyto the manual control (except as lother speed responsive controls may be provided) through the lever |00, the-rod |08, the lever |01 and the rod 98, so that the engine may be caused to operate at any desired speed to carry the load of the compressor and the hoist. If the load of the hoist and the compressor is too large for the engine, the compressor may be unloaded by .operating the lever 13 to move the valve 'i0 into a position for supplying oil under pressure from the compressor crankcase through the conduit 63, the groove 1| in the valve'lll, the conduit 66 and the conduits 05 to the spaces above the diaphragm in the unloading device for forcing the diaphragm and the unloading plunger to their lowered unloading positions.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that there is provided improved means for controlling the driving oi a pumping apparatus and a separate power driven mechanism from a single power unit. It will further be noted that by reason of the improved control means, the pumping apparatus may be driven alone while the speed of the power unit is controlled by either automatic or manual control devices, and the separate power driven mechanism may be connected in driven relation with the power unit while the pumping apparatus operates either loaded or unloaded with the speed of the power unit controlled only by a manual control device.

While there is provided in this application one form. which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form is shown for purposes `oi? illustration and that lthe invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appendedclaims.

Letters Patent is:

i. In combination, a power unit, a compressor connected for drive by said power unit, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply of operating :duid to said power unit, means operative at a predetermined discharge pressure of said compressor for supplying pressure iluid to said pressure responsive device, a power driven mechanism adapted to be driven by said power unit, means for controlling the connection oi.' said power driven mechanism in driven relation with said power unit. valve means for controlling the supply i' pressure iluid to said pressure responsive device, said valve means being operative to cut oif the flow of pressure fluid to said pressure responsive device and to vent the latter completely to atmosphere, and means including a manually operated element common to both functions for controlling the operation of said valve means and said connection controlling means.

2. In combination, a power unit, a compressor connected for drive by said power unit, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply of operating iluid to said power unit, means operative at a predetermined discharge pressure of said compressor for supplying pressure fluid to said pressure responsive device, a power driven mechanism adapted to be driven by said power unit, a clutch for controlling the connection of said power driven mechanism in driven relation with said power unit, a valve for controlling the supply of pressure iluid to said pressure responsive device, and means including a manually operated element for controlling the operation of said valve and said connection controlling means, said last mentioned means being arranged for effecting simultaneously an operation pf said clutch for connecting said power driven mechanism in driven relation with said power unit and the closing of said valve.

3. In combination, a power unit, a pumping apparatus connected for drive by said power unit, pressure responsive unloading means for said pumping apparatus, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply of operating fluid to said power unit, means operative at a predetermined discharge pressure of said pumping apparatus for supplying pressure uid to said unloading means and to said pressure responsive device, a power driven mechanism adapted to be driven by said power unit, means for c ontrolling the connection of said power driven mechanism in driven relation with said power unit, valve means for cutting oir the supply of pressure iiuid to said pressure responsive device and venting the latter to atmosphere, and manually operated means for controlling simultaneously the operation of said valve means and said connection controlling means.

4. In combination, a power unit, a pumping apparatus connected for drive by said power unit, pressure responsive unloading means for said pumping apparatus, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply of Operating fluid to said power unit, means operative at a predetermined discharge pressure of said pumping apparatus for supplying pressure fluid to said unloading means and to said pressure responsive device, a power driven mechanism adapted to be driven by said power unit, means for controlling the connection of said power driven mechanism in driven relation with said power unit, valve means for cutting o the supply of pressure iluid Cil What I claim as new and desire to secure by to said pressure responsive device and venting the latter to atmosphere, manually operated means for controlling simultaneously the operation of said valve means and said connection controlling means, and manually operated means for controlling a supply vof fluid under pressure to said unloading means.

5. ln combination, a power unit, a compressor connected continuously in driving relation with said power unit, pressure responsive unloading means for said compressor, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply oi.' operating uid to said power unit, means operative at a predetermined compressor discharge pressure ior supplying pressure fluid to said unloading means and to said pressure responsive device, a hoist adapted to be driven by said power unit, a clutch for controlling the connection of said hoist in,

driven relation with said power unit, valve means for cutting off the supply of pressure fluid to said pressure responsive device and venting the latter to atmosphere, and manually operated means for controlling simultaneously the operation of said valve means and said connection controlling means.

6. In combination, a power unit, a compressor connected continuously in driving relation with said power unit, pressure responsive unloading means for said compressor, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply of operating iluid to said power unit, means operative at a predetermined compressor discharge pressure for supplying pressure fluid to said unloading means and to said pressure responsive device, a hoist adapted to be driven by said power unit. a clutch for controlling the connection of said hoist in driven relation with said power unit, valve means for cutting oi the supply of pressure fluid to said pressure responsive device and venting the latter to atmosphere, manually operated means for controlling simultaneously the operation of. said valve means and said connection controlling means, and manually operated means for controlling a supply of iluid under pressure to said unloading means, said last mentioned means being operative at will for supplying fluid to said unloading means and effecting an unloading of said compressor.

7. In combination, a power unit, a pumping apparatus connected for drive by said power unit, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply of operating uid to said power unit, means including passage means for supplying pressure fluid to said pressure responsive device, valve means arranged in said passage means for cutting ofi' the supply of pressure fluid to said pressure responsive device and venting the latter to atmosphere, a power driven mechanism adapted to be driven by said power unit, means for controlling the connection of said power driven mechanism in driven relation with said power unit, and manually operated means for eiecting simultaneous operation of said valve means and said connection controlling means, said last mentioned means being operative to effect a venting of said pressure responsive device when said power driven mechanism is connected for drive by said power unit.

8. In combination, a power unit, a pumping apparatus connected for drive by said power unit, a pressure responsive device for controlling the supply of operating iluid to said power unit and operative on the supply of pressure fluid thereto for reducing the supply of operating uid, means responsive to pump discharge pressure for supplying pressure uid to said pressure responsive device, valve means for cutting 0H the supply of pressure uld to said pressure responsive device and venting the latter to atmosphere, a power driven mechanism adapted to be driven by said power unit, means for controlling the connection of said power driven mechanism in driven reldzl tion with seid power unit, and means inclu n manually operated element for controlling the operation oi' said valve means and said connection controlling means, said last mentioned means i being operative to eect n venting of said pres- 5 sure responsive device when seid power driven mechanism is connected for drive by said power unit. 

